UNC Charlotte is moving to a per-credit hour tuition rate for students beginning Fall 2021.
Starting Fall 2021, tuition will be assessed at per-credit hour rates for all new students, and for continuing students who are not part of the NC Fixed Tuition program.
The per-credit hour tuition rate provides an equitable model. Students will be charged tuition for the exact credit hours in which they are enrolled rather than a range of enrolled hours being used. The per-credit hour tuition rate is a University of North Carolina System-wide initiative, effective for all UNC System schools starting this fall.
What is Changing
- Tuition rates, including tuition increments, will be assessed per credit hour enrolled starting Fall 2021. Tuition rates will no longer be assessed using ranges and stair-step levels.
- The per-credit hour tuition rate only includes tuition and does not include fees.
- Distance education (DE) tuition will be assessed at the same per credit hour tuition rate as main campus tuition for both undergraduate and graduate students (residents and non-residents). The table below shows the change in student credit hour (SCH) tuition rates for distance education students.
Distance Education Student Credit Hour Tuition Rates Effective Fall 2021
| Student Level/ Residency | Fall 2021 Tuition Rate per SCH | Previous Distance Education Tuition Rate per SCH | Fall 2021 Increase per SCH |
| Undergraduate Resident |
$158.83 |
$129.00 | $29.83 |
| Undergraduate Non-Resident | $718.58 | $583.00 | $135.58 |
| Graduate Resident | $240.94 | $213.00 | $27.94 |
| Graduate Non-Resident | $987.28 | $872.00 | $115.28 |
- Distance education tuition will be capped at the full-time enrollment level of 12 (Undergraduate) and 9 (Graduate) credit hours. No incremental tuition will be charged for credit hour enrollment totals greater than these levels.
Distance Education Non-State Residency Rates: Outside NC
| Student Level/Residency | Fall 2021 Tuition Rate per SCH | Previous Distance Education Tuition Rate per SCH | Increase per SCH |
| Undergraduate Non-Resident | $317.67 | $258.00 | $59.67 |
|
Graduate Non-Resident |
$481.89 | $426.00 | $55.89 |
What is NOT Changing
- Full-time tuition rates (excluding Distance Education) are not changing.
- The per-credit hour rates are calculated by dividing the current full-time annual tuition rates by the full-time enrollment levels of 12 (undergraduate) and 9 (graduate) credit hours.
- Tuition charges will still be capped at the 12 credit and 9 credit hour levels for undergraduate and graduate students, respectively.
- Fees for students enrolled in Main Campus programs, non-DE, will continue to be assessed at a stair-step method. These charges will be capped at 6 hours for undergraduates and 9 hours for graduate students.
- “Outside North Carolina Rate” will still be available for eligible Distance Education students.
- The per-credit hour tuition rate does not affect your Financial Aid offer.
- Summer rate assessment is not changing.
Examples: If you are...
- A new freshman, transfer, or graduate student entering the University in Fall 2021 or after, your tuition will be assessed on a per-credit hour basis.
- A continuing student and not part of the NC Fixed Tuition Program, your tuition will be assessed on a per-credit hour basis.
- A continuing undergraduate student in the NC Fixed Tuition Program, your tuition will continue to be assessed on a stair-step method during your eight consecutive semesters of enrollment. The new per-credit hour rate change does not apply to your tuition.
You can view the proposed Fall 2021 - Spring 2022 tuition and fee rates here.*
* Final rates pending legislative approval in Summer 2021
FAQs
Starting Fall 2021, tuition will be assessed at per-credit hour rates for all new students and continuing students who are not part of the NC Fixed Tuition program. The full-time tuition rates (excluding Distance Education) are not changing in Fall 2021, but there may be changes in tuition at less than full-time enrollment levels due to tuition being assessed only for those credit hours you are enrolled.
Previously, tuition (excluding Distance Education) was assessed using the “stair-step” approach, meaning that tuition was charged flat rates for certain ranges of credit hours up to the full-time enrollment levels of 12 credit hours for undergraduates and 9 credit hours for graduates. Now, tuition (including tuition increments) will be charged one rate per each credit hour up to the full-time enrollment levels. The per credit hour rates will be equal across all methods of instruction. Refer to the tables below for examples of how tuition was charged under the “stair-step” and per credit hour structures.
Stair Step Rates
Per-Credit Hour Rates
Undergraduate students who qualify as a resident for tuition purposes and meet other eligibility criteria are included in the NC Fixed Tuition Program. To check your status, follow the steps below:
- Login to Banner Self Service
- Click the “Student Services/ Student Accounts” tab
- Click “Fixed Tuition Information”
If you have fixed tuition information that has not expired, you are still currently part of the NC Fixed Tuition Program and this change does NOT apply to you in Fall 2021 and after as long as you continue to meet the eligibility criteria.
Although the Distance Education tuition rates were previously charged at a per credit hour rate, the rates will be changing in Fall 2021. Prior to Fall 2021, tuition for students enrolled in Distance Education programs was charged at a different rate than those enrolled in Main Campus programs. Starting in Fall 2021, the tuition rate for Distance Education students will be the same as the rate for main campus students, based on student-level (undergraduate or graduate) and residency. There are no changes to the types of fees students enrolled in Distance Education programs are required to pay in Fall 2021.
Previously, Distance Education tuition was not capped at any level. Starting in Fall 2021, tuition will be capped at the full-time enrollment levels of 12 credit hours for undergraduates and 9 credit hours for graduate students. For example, a graduate Distance Education student taking 12 credit hours will only be charged for 9 credit hours in Fall 2021.
We’re working on a plan to assist continuing Distance Education students with this change and these students will be notified of the opportunity to apply for tuition assistance for Fall 2021.